Writers Articles And
News
22 December 2009By
Mazin Qumsiyeh
The Air France jet landed in Madrid and I stepped out
quickly through the impressive airport to the luggage
area. There was no need for border passport check as
the trip from Paris to Madrid is an internal European
trip. No more are these national borders of utility
and they are only being enforced between nation states
like Jordan and Syria and Palestine/Israel (nation
states created ironically by Europeans!). I walk
through the airport noting the clean marble floors,
beautiful arts, lighting that invokes museums, sharply
dressed serious people going about from one area to
another or shopping in the hundreds of shops in the
spacious airport.
These images are only intruded upon by thoughts of
what to expect in Spain. Past and present melt
together: conquistadores, bull fights, Al-Andalusia,
Spanish conquests of the America, King Ferdinand,
beautiful folkloric dancing, good foods etc… But my
interest is always people of the present. Ofcourse I
had met and worked with many Spanish activists before
and we received many delegations in Palestine.
But somehow being met by two lovely people at the
airport in Madrid caries special significance. Manuel
(Mano) is a 60+ veteran activist with white beard, a
vibrant, easy and outgoing personality (a thoughts of
a mix of Santa Claus and Jeff Halper cross my mind).
The other is a young and beautiful girl (Lina) who
seemed like so many serious dedicated activists I met
in 20 other countries: concerned that a guest is
comfortable.
We had a cup of coffee while we waited for another
speaker. I noticed both new friends speak little
English so I go to the bookshop next door to buy a
Spanish phrase book. I end up also noting and buying
the book El Principito (the Little Prince). I was
given the English version of this book some 30 years
ago by a dear friend and have always found it useful
in my life. It is a symbolic story that relays to us
in childlike fashion the vanity of so many people who
are living in the past, or in the future, or who are
doing things but not knowing why they are doing them
(unfortunately some like Zionists harming others in
the process of doing what they do). Perhaps most of
all it is a story of the importance of love and
friendship and paying attention to little things.
Mano's son (also Manuel) who organized our trip was
especially kind. We quickly developed deep friendship
with people like Manuel, Mano Lina, Laura, Tina, and
dozens of others we met along the way in Spain. I
think to myself how lucky I am to have literally now
thousands of friends around the world. What strikes me
sometimes is the similarity between people in
different countries who have similar interests. It is
actually remarkable how the activists for human rights
are in particular "birds of a feather who flock
together" so to speak. Motivated, energetic, outgoing,
concerned, not afraid to challenge own assumptions
etc.
During the two days in Madrid and two days in
Barcelona, we met with politicians, journalists,
students, professors, waiters, fellow passengers, and
people of all walks of life. Again I am struck by our
human similarities. A student in Madrid is like a
student at Bethlehem University or Yale University. A
politician or journalist in Spain also behaves the
same as politicians or journalists in Ramallah. Those
who care for people are easy to identify and are
genuinely interested to know what is really going on
and how it impacts people's lives. We explain to all
how European governments have been complicit in
violations of International law and human rights. We
explain the importance of treating apartheid Israel
just like apartheid South Africa to effect a
restoration of basic justice starting with the right
of refugees to return to their homes and lands. We are
gratified by the positive response.
When we drove through Barcelona before dawn heading to
the airport, I looked up at the stars in the sky and
wondered if the sheep has eaten the flowers. !Y
ninguna persona grande comprendera jamais que tenga
tanta importacia! (And no grown-up will ever
understand that this is a matter of so much
importance!)
As I crossed the bridge back into the West Bank after
a night in Jordan, I noted the grouchy Israeli
occupation soldiers have added a new procedure
(denoted by a blue sticker) without any explanation.
The lines were a bit longer at bottlenecks where these
stickers are checked. The thoughts of El Principito
and that I am finally on the blessed homeland of
Palestine (yes despite the occupation) gave me a
smile…
Now for action: Here are ten products to boycott this
holiday season for the sake of peace: Ahava, Delta
Galil Industries, Motorola, L'Oreal, Dorot Garlic and
Herbs (Trader Joe's), Estee Lauder, Intel, Sabra, Sara
Lee, and Victoria's Secret. More info on each at:
http://www.baceia.org/2009/11/top-ten-brands-to-boycott/
And if you are in the US and want to buy something for
a gift, consider
http://www.PalestineOnlineStore.com
Egyptian government shamefully trying to kill off
lifelines to Gaza's 1.5 million besieged people
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article10948.shtml
(you may still want to join the Gaza Freedom March
http://www.gazafreedommarch.org/ )
Guardian: CIA working closely with Palestinian
Security services
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/dec/17/cia-palestinian-security-agents
Mazin Qumsiyeh, PhD
A Bedouin in Cyberspace, a villager at home
http://www.qumsiyeh.org
http://www.pcr.ps
©
EsinIslam.Com
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